assuage

1
2
as in to satisfy
to put a complete end to (a physical need or desire) that huge meal certainly assuaged my hunger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word assuage different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of assuage are allay, alleviate, lighten, mitigate, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When might allay be a better fit than assuage?

While the synonyms allay and assuage are close in meaning, allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When is it sensible to use alleviate instead of assuage?

Although the words alleviate and assuage have much in common, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When could lighten be used to replace assuage?

In some situations, the words lighten and assuage are roughly equivalent. However, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

In what contexts can mitigate take the place of assuage?

The meanings of mitigate and assuage largely overlap; however, mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Where would relieve be a reasonable alternative to assuage?

While in some cases nearly identical to assuage, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assuage Previously, Lithgow spoke out to assuage concern from fans of the Harry Potter franchise about his capability at portraying the beloved professor/mentor character in the wizarding world. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025 The band have, however, made an effort to assuage the fears of fans who may worry about missing them on the upcoming trek. Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 7 May 2025 Even a pause and negotiations on many of those tariffs has done little to assuage the concerns of foreign leaders, businesses, and consumers, who remain uncertain about the effects of the tariff regime, and the strategy behind it. Foreign Affairs, 24 Apr. 2025 Danish leaders have said that for the time being, there is nothing stopping the U.S. from implementing more military bases on Greenland to assuage security concerns. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assuage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assuage
Verb
  • Next steps: While the long-term plan is developed, short-term measures are being considered to alleviate traffic issues.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
  • On a quiet pandemic afternoon in 2021, Zhiyuan Wang, then a graduate student at Rice University, was alleviating his boredom by working on a weird mathematical problem.
    Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • The service offers a number of filters for other dietary requirements, and satisfying taste and texture—not always a guarantee on ready-to-eat meals.
    Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 28 May 2025
  • Longer than a truck with a trailer (reaching up to almost 79 feet long) and weighting almost twice as much, Megalodon, ruled the oceans between 20–3 million years ago, frequently on the hunt for prey to satisfy its astonishing 100,000 kilocalories-per-day nutritional demand.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • It was changed at the final hour to move up the start date for work requirements from 2029 to 2026 to appease hard-liners who threatened to withhold their votes and imperil the bill’s passage.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Tiller is set to release albums in back-to-back years for the first time in his career, as fans’ appetites will be appeased.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • New & Noteworthy Help relieve occasional heartburn, upset stomach, acid indigestion and stress with Pepcid Soothing Gummies, Heartburn Relief + Stress Relief dietary supplements.
    Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • These memory foam flip-flops have arch support that’ll help relieve pressure on your joints, according to the brand.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • As the Hall of Fame notes, the group was heavily influenced by Black musician Lesley Riddle, who helped A.P. with songs and taught Maybelle his guitar style.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 May 2025
  • The unconventional flair of the barbershops gives them a unique charm, and in the last few years, social media has helped the community boost its profile and gain a wider audience beyond Vietnam.
    Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Blue hues ranging from cobalt to periwinkle flow through the home, while touches of gray continues the soothing palette.
    Shannon Sharpe, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
  • Think notes of florals, Italian citrus fruit, and a soothing blend of musky notes that aren't overpowering, just delightful.
    Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • For them, the low exemption amount can result in substantial estate tax liability that could have been mitigated with proper advance planning and structuring.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Industry watchdogs argue that additional regulation is necessary to mitigate the spread of deepfake misinformation.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • But China is frustrating the U.S. by moving too slowly on easing its rare earth export controls, The Wall Street Journal reported, a key part of the Geneva agreement.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • More international alignment might have eased the U.S. infant formula crisis in 2022, when contamination shut down an Abbott factory, leading to monthslong shortages for American parents, Young said.
    Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Assuage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assuage. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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